Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, has welcomed £17.2 million of extra funding secured for the region from the national government.
The West of England is set to receive the record cash boost to help turn the tide on homelessness, as part of £1 billion of new national funding announced today.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said:
“Too many people have been failed by the system time and again. 160,000 children face spending this Christmas without a stable place to call home. I am determined to break the cycle of spiralling homelessness and get back on track to ending it for good.
“This largest-ever investment marks a turning point, giving councils the tools they need to act quickly and put in place support for people to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness. It’s time to turn the tide.
“This historic funding comes alongside our work developing a cross-government strategy back on track to end homelessness, pulling every lever of the state, to ensure that we deliver not just sticking plasters but a long-term plan.
“Through our Plan for Change I am determined to tackle the housing crisis we inherited head on, building the homes we need, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation and ending no fault evictions.”
Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris said:
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. The £17.2 million of new funding announced by the Deputy Prime Minister today for the West of England will be an important step towards doing just that.
“Our region has secured major funding once again to tackle challenges facing us, helping charities and councils to do more for people most in need. This record cash boost will help prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place, provide more warm beds and shelters, and support rough sleepers into longer term accommodation with the support that they need.
“Alongside the Government’s commitment to abolish no-fault evictions through the landmark Renters’ Reform Bill, and build homes that people can afford, communities across the West of England will see a chapter change on housing.”
Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said:
“We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory that has left far too many families trapped in temporary accommodation with no end in sight and soaring numbers of people sleeping rough on our streets.
“This is the dire legacy we have inherited as a government, and we are fully determined to take immediate action. Our funding will not only support councils delivering vital services that meet the needs of their communities but also pave the way for our long-term plan to get us back on track to end homelessness once and for all.”
